A Strong Confident Leader Imparts Confidence and Encouragment Among Those Looking for Leadership

As a leader this man knows how to lead in the fullest and finest and highest sense.

Peter did not want these disciples of Jesus to disobey God, or disappoint God, and this is why he writes as he does, and he goes on to speak to them and teach them and us regarding what is central and important.

Take time and even make time to read what he has to say in his first letter. It is always interesting to read other people's letters and this letter has endured for nigh on two thousand years.

Silver and gold are so durable and most people are aware of that, but the precious blood of Christ is more so.

This leads on to us living a life of gratitude and not grumbling.

Peter goes on to explain to us what we are worth, and we are not worth much in terms of silver or gold, but Jesus Christ shed His precious blood for you and me! Do you realise the profound significance of that?

Is Peter here not also referring to the preciousness of the man, Jesus Christ, and not just the blood, as he writes about the lamb? Peter always writes so highly of Jesus, the one whom Peter had tried to divert from going to the Cross. Some thirty years previously that is what he attempted to do, but now he see circumstances so differently.

Jesus redeemed me, and bought me, and ransomed me, and set me free from futility and emptiness, and from getting nowhere.

When a group of young folks were asked to write down what difference Jesus Christ has meant to you, many answered that Jesus has given me purpose, or Jesus has given me a reason for living and a goal, and made my life meaningful. What a privilege for me to be given a purpose for living.

How terrible it must be go around living and not knowing why you are here and not being sure of your aim and goal and purpose.

There are two reasons for being thankful in this part of his letter and we need to know why we ought to be thankful and grateful at times. We should be thankful because we have been ransomed from futile empty ways, and then we are gifted with purpose and meaning.

This results in our having a confidence. A confident leader should be able to impart confidence to those around him. Good leaders should encourage confidence and when they do so the people they lead will never be afraid of them wondering if they are going to be rebuked and told off.

Bad leaders impart bad fear which is nothing other than sin, but good leaders inspire and motivate and uplift.

Confidence is one of the marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

There are many people who are uncertain and unsure, but we have confidence in God and a sure and certain confidence that Jesus Christ is on the throne of this world.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org/ entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.


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